But J Pod wasnâ€™t done! On March 30, 2015, the Pacific Whale Watch Association spotted J52, the fourth birth of the season.

Photo Jeanne Hyde courtesy of Center for Whale Research

These four calves all appear to be healthy and energetic. Itâ€™s a banner year for the effort to protect the whales that call the waters of Puget Sound home, but marine biologists warn that life for these calves will be tough.

Despite this good news, the killer whales of Puget Sound are endangered and their population levels remain dangerously low. There is a 35% to 45% mortality rate among calves, meaning the next few months will be critical for the young orcasâ€™ survival.

Habitat destruction and prey scarcity are the main threats to these majestic animals. The orcaâ€™s preferred prey is the Chinook salmon, but the fish is increasingly rare due to fishing and destruction to salmon runs and traditional spawning grounds. The Port of Seattle recently leased Terminal 5 to Foss/Shell, allowing the oil company to use orca habitat as their home port. A lawsuit has been filed by a coalition of environmental groups against the port, arguing that the quality of the water would be negatively impacted by the vessels.

Orcas also face habitat destruction due to polluted runoff that makes its way into their habitat. But you can help. Our Gift That Gives More is dedicated to keeping toxic runoff out of the Puget Sound of Western Washington and helps preserve a delicate ecosystem for the wild orca that call it home.